Bordetella pertussis Antibody (IgG/IgA)

Item

Value

Approval req'd?

No

Available Stat?

No

Utilization Guidelines

Serologic testing for B. pertussis infection includes IgG and IgA antibodies, which are seen in remote and recent infection, respectively. IgM antibodies are less sensitive and are not offered at UCSF. For diagnosis of active infection, PCR is the preferred method.

Test code

BPAB

Performed by

Focus via Quest

Sendout?

Yes

Method

Multi-Analyte Immunodetection (MAID)

Container type

Red top

Amount to Collect

2 mL blood

Sample type

Serum

Preferred volume

1 mL serum

Min. Volume

0.5 mL serum

Processing notes

Allow blood to clot at room temperature and separate serum from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer serum to sterile, plastic screw-capped, aliquot tubes and store refrigerated or frozen.

Units

IU/mL

Normal range

PT IgG

< 45 IU/mL

PT IgA

< 10 IU/mL

FHA IgG

< 90 IU/mL

FHA IgA

< 50 IU/mL

Synonyms

Whooping Cough; Haemophilus pertussis

Turn around times

Test performed 5 days a week. Turnaround time: 1-3 days.

Additional information

Some adult patients may develop a subacute illness characterized by a prolonged period of coughing-for a month or more-following Bordetella infection. As these patients have often been treated with antibiotics and because organisms often cannot found by PCR or culture in late stages of illness, an elevated antibody titer may be the only way to confirm the suspected diagnosis of adult pertussis. A rise in titer between paired sera, one collected within 1 week of onset of illness and another 2-3 weeks later, is most suggestive of a recent infection, but a single convalescent serum specimen will be accepted. Under some circumstances, sera can be forwarded to CDC for further evaluation.

Serologic testing for B. pertussis infection includes IgG and IgA antibodies, which are seen in remote and recent infection, respectively. IgM antibodies are less sensitive and are not offered at UCSF. For diagnosis of active infection, PCR is the preferred method.